Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a townhouse fire Sunday, March 22, 2009, at approximately 5:10 p.m. in the Chantilly area of Fairfax County. The townhouse is located at 4101 Chantilly Lace Court.

Firefighters encountered fire from the rear of the two-story townhouse upon arrival. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 20 minutes. A second fire alarm was struck bringing approximately 60 firefighters to the scene. The townhouse was constructed with a fire wall in place, assisting firefighters in containing the fire. A total of nine individuals have been displaced. Three adults and three children lived in the fire unit, and one adult and two children lived in an adjacent townhouse that received minimal damage. There were no injuries. Red Cross assisted the displaced occupants. Units from Loudoun County also responded to the fire.

Damage is estimated at $200,000.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. Clothing in a first-floor utility closet was too close to a light fixture, causing the fire.

Combustibles Too Close to a Heating Source Safety Tips

Keep at least three feet of clearance between your alternate heating source and anything combustible.

Do not store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Captain I Randal Bittinger,
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY: 711.
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-877-3702
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs,
services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.
4100 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030fire-rescue.PA-LSEAfairfaxcounty.gov